I love politics. I love the strategy, the passion, the differing messages and the use of debate to get your point across. It is fascinating to me. However, this year it is almost sickening. The red states are redder and the blue states are bluer. The mudslinging is embarrassing and makes me wonder, where is the room for dialogue. A chance to offer differing views and let the electorate choose the better idea. I know a utopian view to be sure but man, wouldn’t be great.
Alas, we all know Washington is a mess and politicians are overall no dang good but the Church should be different. However, as I read blogs and read books and articles I think that Washington are a collection of monks and nuns compared to the current theology wars.
I find myself torn…I am a contrarian spirit by nature so I hate going with what is popular or normal but it is getting ridiculous. On one hand you have the Fundamentalists…The Mark Driscolls. These guys are judgmental thugs behind a pulpit. They are the Jerry Falwells with tattoos and skinny jeans. Every once in a while they will speak that they preach in love right before they slander another group of people. They claim to take Christianity back to the Bible and Doctrine. If you dare to question their “Doctrine” then you are a heretic. They pride themselves on being the new John Calvin. He was a brute too. They carry the Bible withe a chip on their shoulder and a bitterness in their tone, they claim the love of Jesus but seem to revel in what is wrong with everyone.
Then on the other side is the “throw the baby out with the bathwater crowd”. They want to throw out Salvation, Hell, Organized Church, Forgiveness, Virgin Birth and the Easter Bunny. They are the crowd that believes in nothing…except what they espouse in their latest book. Which seems to me to be inflammatory only to sell more books.
So you have these two extremes the Red Church and the Blue Church and the talk about the others are bitter, divisive and disgusting to those who are actually paying attention.
I believe both of these extremes are dangerous. I hate that Driscoll is so popular to young pastors because he has a tattoo, sings in a punk band and cusses in the pulpit (AND HE IS THE FUNDIE!)
I believe there needs to be a dialogue. I believe there is room to talk about where the Christian Church goes from here BUT I am still foolish enough to believe that we can have a reasonable discussion without getting inflammatory.
I think we need to question everything. I have blogged in the past that I believe what we call Discipleship, Evangelism and even Salvation are too Americanized. Too easy and clean…life is too messy.
I think Discipleship is more than a 101, 201, 30 class. I think Evangelism is more than a your going to hell, join our club process. I think Salvation is more than a rote prayer and a signed card. I DO believe there will be many people in heaven that will surprise you and many not there that you thought would be.
These are topics worthy of discussion. So I will listen to the clowns on the left like Bell and McClaren and to the clowns to the right like Driscoll and Piper and maybe find the truth in the midst of the noise.
For those of you that say “Simply look to the scriptures.” I would say that both camps claim their views are based on scripture. It is how it is interpreted.
I look forward in the coming months to do my own digging, research and praying to see if there is a different voice. One that can be compassionate and just. Where you can fully flesh out the role of Christianity…Love God – Love People.
Sean Rheaume 